An
innocent man who spent 29 years behind bars after being convicted of an
attempted rape and kidnapping has finally been given his freedom. Michael
McAlister was cleared after a serial rapist who had an uncanny resemblance to
the 58-year-old at the time confessed to the 1986 offence.

He
was granted an unconditional pardon by Virginia's governor, wiping away the
prosecution which he had campaigned against for decades alongside family and
friends. After clearing McAlister, governor Terry McAuliffe said in a written
statement: "A number of individuals in the law enforcement community [...]
have concluded that this crime was committed by another individual, and that Mr
McAlister should be freed to return to his family and his community.

"I
have reached the same conclusion, and I have acted in accordance with the
law."

Michael McAlister: The 58-year-old has finally been given his freedom

Upon
being reunited with his sister and elderly mother outside Dillwyn Correctional
Centre, McAlister said that the governor was a 'special man' for giving him his
freedom. He told reporters: "It’s a great day. It’s a wonderful day.
Governor McAuliffe, he’s a special man for being brave enough to do this."

McAlister
added that his thoughts were with the victim of the attack. He said: "It
wasn’t her fault, and I don’t hold any hard feelings at all toward her. I hope
[the attacker] can deal with his issues as best he can."

McAlister
was 29 and working as a carpenter when he was identified by the victim in
court. The victim, a 22-year-old mum, was assaulted in the laundry room of an
apartment complex on February 23, 1986.

But
she was able to partially pull her attacker's stocking mask off during the
attack, and caught a glimpse of his face. At the time, McAlister was known by
police following a string of alcohol-related incidents of public indecency. He
was misidentified after a police sketch resembled his face, which helped lead
to his wrongful conviction.